Sluice, Channel And Sluice A Swing-Bridges At Vale Royal Locks

The sluice system at Vale Royal Locks in Whitegate and Marton controls water flow along the River Weaver using channels and movable swing bridges that connect different water levels. These structures work together to direct water through the navigation system and maintain proper elevation changes.

The locks were built in the 1900s as part of the River Weaver navigation system that enabled cargo transport in Cheshire. This development served the region's industrial needs and connected various waterway routes for shipping goods.

The Grade II listed structure stands as a testament to British hydraulic engineering, demonstrating the technical capabilities of twentieth-century construction methods.

You can view the locks and bridges from public footpaths that run alongside the water system. The site is best explored on foot, with views available from several vantage points along the channel route.

The swing bridges can still be operated by hand using mechanisms that date back to the early 1900s. This working system shows how engineers solved practical waterway problems with simple but clever mechanical designs.

Location: Whitegate and Marton

GPS coordinates: 53.22880,-2.54067

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:24